pool hopping parking ?

[CoolDisneyCat]

We plan to go to the Polynesian, have lunch at Kona and spend the afternoon at the pool. Last time we went to the Poly to eat, we got one of those three hour parking passes. The question is this: if you're going to the Poly to pool hop, do you only have three hours?! That's not only silly, it's unfair! If we show our DVC card to the guard, can we get a longer pass?

Any help on this would be much appreciated!

 

[Chuck S]

I really wouldn't call it "silly" and "unfair" if the resort is busy and registered guests of the Poly had trouble finding a parking place (which is one reason this policy was instituted). Although, I'm not sure anyone actually checks those time cards in your window.

So many folks were parking at the Poly for "other reasons" then going off to the MK that the lot filled up. Disney has to control the parking situation. I don't know what the parking policy is for pool hopping, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get a 3-hour pass.
Remember that pool hopping is a courtesy extended to DVCers, and may be withdrawn at any time.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I meant it would be silly and unfair to limit someone who was pool hopping to three hours. I understand why they have the policy, and I also understand that pool hopping is a courtesy. But it's also a perk, and if you can't fully enjoy a perk, then what's the point of having it?

I was just wondering what other people's experiences had been in the past.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Use the valet parking, no time limit with that, just 6.00 plus tip.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

When we came in the gate is when they gave us the three hour parking permit. We used the valet parking, but we still had the three hour time limit paper in the window.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We used to get those three hour passes, until last trip. On our last trip (Jan-Feb), we visited many resorts for dinner, and not once got a temporary pass. The guard saw our WL pass, and that was all they needed.

Good luck.....

 

[Chuck S]

I think Gail is right, valet parking will, in a sense, override the 3 hour limit.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by CoolDisneyCat
I meant it would be silly and unfair to limit someone who was pool hopping to three hours.

Pool hopping is NOT being limited to 3 hours- only the parking for non-Polynesian guests.

You could also park (for free) in the MK lot (or take the bus to the MK) and take the monorail (or walk) to the Poly and pool hop as long as you wish.

Enjoy!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Thanks!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree--3 hours isn't a lot of time if you want to lounge around a pool. But--since there dosen't seem to be anything else except a 3-hour pass, you're pretty much a hostage to that. Essentially, if you want to take your own car (as we do, since we have it) to pool hop, plan on a 3 hour maximum swim. Otherwise, you'll need to valet park and "pay" to pool hop. Or at least at the Poly, park at the MK lot and walk over.
My guess is that the 3 hour thing was designed to accomodate casual visitors, or people eating at resort restaurants. I don't think they contemplated poolhoppers --and I'm sure they don't care.
As for showing your card--I tried that very tactic a year ago when we went to the Poly to pool hop. The guard at the gate took a look, laughed at me, and handed me a 3-hour pass!!
Should add that the Poly lot wasn't even 1/3 full that day--

 

[Pa@okw95]

They have to stop people from using their lot for visits to MK, thus 3 hours, believe me if they didn't there would people that would show up claiming to pool hop then go to MK. The 3 hours pass is really for someone that wants to eat there. Valet parking is available for $6, that would be the route I would take, but then again I never pooled hopped in the 8 years I have been a member, the water at OKW is as good as it is anywhere. I really think if they had to do it over they never would have given the pool hop perk.

 

[paults]

IMHO if you want to pool hop 'great' use the DISNEY transportation system so there will be parking for the guests who are actually staying at that resort and paying big $$$ to park there. If any one of us (DVCers) were staying at the Poly, etc and couldn't find a place to park when needed I bet we would complain about that too.

Solution: after your 3 hours are up ,go drive your car out the gate and back in for another 3 hours.

Before we became members(DVC)and knew better we parked at BWV twice and visited boardwalk and then went to Epcot. We thought that was great because the parking lot was almost empty when we got there in the mourning BUT when we came back the place was packed and people were driving around looking for a parking spot (I'm sure most of them were guests at that resort) but who knows.

I agree with webmaster doc pool hopping is not limited only parking is.
Therefore we can use the solution above as needed 3,6,9,12 hours of pool hopping and all you need to do is move your car a couple of times.

I don't think we are (hostage) as someone said to the 3 hr limit by disney. We know the rules so we should respect them before we lose them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

As for showing your card--I tried that very tactic a year ago when we went to the Poly to pool hop. The guard at the gate took a look, laughed at me, and handed me a 3-hour pass!!

We just tell them we are going to the racquet club, they never limit us there. Of course, we do go there.

 

[InstImpres]

We were told by the guard and confirmed with the front desk CM that the Contemporary only checks the passes overnight. I could stay all day with my 3 hour pass, no problem.

 

[DebbieB]

I think it depends on how crowded the lot is. When we were on the monorail going from MK to TTC last year off peak, I noticed the Poly lot was less than half full in the afternoon. I don't think they would go to the trouble to tow then. On the other hand, if it was full and hotel guests were complaining, then they may.

If the lot is half empty, I don't see the harm in allowing DVC members to park an extra hour or two. You would have the member parking permit, so others could not use it as an excuse to park longer. I know rules are rules, but everything doesn't have to be black or white, you can have some flexibility as warrented.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

People keep saying to valet park, there's no time limit, but how does that make a difference? You still have to go through the gate and pass the guard who gives you the parking pass. Do you say, "I'm pool hopping, eating at Kona and valet parking?" I mean, we always valet park, and at Poly we got the three hour permit anyway.

So my question is... am I missing something?

 

[DebbieB]

The question is, do they enforce the 3 hours in valet?

We used valet parking at the Contemporary and GF in February and did not get a timed pass from the guard at either. Contemporary was in the morning and GF was in the evening (different days). Since you are paying $6.00, I don't see how they can time it and threaten to tow you.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We valet park a lot at many different WDW resorts and never had any time limit imposed. A lot of the hotel "entrance protocol" depends on which guard you happen to get that day. Usually we drive up and say we're valet parking.. rarely are we even asked where we're going at the resort. Then we're directed to the valet station for parking, and almost never given a pass. Only once did we also get a pass--we just put it in the glove compartment and proceeded to valet. I imagine that we got that pass just in case we changed our minds about valet and decided to park in the regular lot(??).

Of course, you could always say "valet" and once thru the guard gate you could park anyplace. BUt then you'd have no parking pass and risk towing??? Or would you??

Which poses yet another question--here where we live, your car can only be towed if you illegally park in a "posted" area--that is, having notice that your car might be towed, and where it might be taken. I've never seen any such sign at a Disney resort, nor is towing mentioned on the parking pass. Anyone know what the towing law (policy) is??